World watch

World watch

January 31, 2010

Antigua

The murder of an American woman on a shore excursion Jan. 19 at Pigeon Point Beach was the fourth major attack in the last two years involving tourists. Three others were murdered in the previous two years, including a couple in their hotel room. In the recent killing, the victim left a beach barbecue and walked alone on a secluded path.

Canada

British Columbia has established an expedited court to handle certain crimes during the Olympics. The temporary court system's purpose is to resolve cases within two weeks so international visitors will not have to remain in Canada or return for trials. Crimes such as simple assault, drunken driving, petty theft and credit-card fraud will be handled by the court.

Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia's primary tourist city on the Caribbean, largely escaped the years of violence from drug gangs, but its luck may be running out. Assassinations this month have raised fears that drug gangs from outside are fighting over new turf. An infusion of 270 more federal police officers did not prevent an assault by seven hooded, armed men on a hostel where they rounded up the 21 foreign guests, locked them in a room and stole their valuables. Police arrested three suspects and believe the crime was aided by staff at the hostel, now closed.

Peru

Three days of heavy rain over the weekend caused floods and landslides that buried the only rail link between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, stranding 2,000 tourists at Aguas Calientes. As the rain diminished, helicopters brought in tents and food and began evacuating tourists, but roads and the railway were expected to be closed for several days. Landslides also hit the Inca Trail, killing an Argentine hiker and a Peruvian guide. Authorities closed the trail and declared a state of emergency in Machu Picchu and surrounding areas. Travel to the region should be deferred until the weather settles.

Philippines

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert Jan. 20, warning of the risks of travel to the central and western portions of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, in particular the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and the city of Cotabato. These areas are covered by a state of emergency, with military checkpoints and possibly restricted travel, resulting from tensions since the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 people in a political feud. The murder trial in the case is under way in Manila.

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Compiled from various news services and travel sources. For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department's automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.